Byron Review: Countdown to Change
The Byron Review's major recommendations timetabled
Dr Tanya Byron believes that it will take until summer 2010 to implement changes to the way games are classified, as recommended in her UK government-backed Review.
Published this morning, the full report carries a detailed timetable for actions based on Byron's key proposals, which will involve major consultation between all sectors of the games industry, the public and the government.
Ahead of the introduction of a reworked classification system, Byron expects that by this autumn the games industry must commit "to develop minimum standards for parental controls", and, along with the BBFC and PEGI, "commit to develop a single set of standards for managing safety in online games."
Industry body ELSPA this morning voiced its concerns that the Review's proposals "may struggle to keep up with the public’s increasing desire to buy and play online."
The full timetable reads:
By Autumn 2008
Consultation on changes to classification system underpinned by clear plans for potential legislative change.
Industry commits to develop minimum standards for parental controls.
Campaign to raise awareness of age ratings and parental controls underway.
Retailers make improvements to in-store information.
UK Council for Child Internet Safety establishes sub-group on online gaming.
Industry and classification bodies commit to develop single set of standards for managing safety in online games.
By Spring 2009
BBFC and PEGI agree and publish standards for managing safety in online games.
Research into role of video game advertising on underage game play completed.
Industry guidelines on advertising of video games produced.
Summer 2010
Changes to classification system in place.
Ongoing
Monitoring and enforcement of sales of age-rated video games.
Government identifies ways for game based learning to be evaluated in different educational environments.